The last time Cardiff City fielded both Aron Gunnarsson and Kenneth Zohore together in a match, they lost 1-0 to Birmingham City in arguably their worst display of the season.

However, that's a statistic which tells only half the story. Gunnarsson was far from 100 per cent fit that day and Zohore hasn't played a game since.

Both have been sorely missed in the eight weeks since they last actually started a Cardiff game together, the 2-1 win over Sunderland on September 23. The team's record without them certainly doesn't bear a resemblance to promotion form.

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So as the Bluebirds re-energise themselves ahead of this weekend's home clash with Brentford — and two tricky away games that follow — the importance of the Dane and the Ice Man cannot be underestimated.

Kenneth Zohore and Aaron Gunnarsson celebrate victory

In the games both have started this season, Cardiff have won six, drawn two and lost just once.

A horrific 3-0 defeat at Preston aside, the Bluebirds have been virtually unbeatable with the dynamic duo. Along with Sol Bamba, they are the spine of Neil Warnock's team, their industry and intensity reflective of the manager's old school approach.

Without them — as Warnock has been since the Birmingham loss — Cardiff's fortunes have been mixed. They have earned three wins, three draws and three defeats in all competitions when Zohore and Gunnarsson weren't named together in the starting 11.

It was cripplingly evident when Nathaniel Mendez-Laing limped off at Ashton Gate, and further still when Omar Bogle was given his marching orders by referee Mike Jones, that Cardiff were becoming makeshift, bordering on threadbare.

Liam Feeney and Craig Bryson were both brought to the club on-loan as positional cover, but neither would have expected to start every game for Warnock's side.

Gunnarsson and Zohore, if fit, start every game without question. The same goes for Bamba and Junior Hoilett, but few others. That's how important the pair are nowadays, and Cardiff can perhaps consider themselves lucky to have coped as well as they have in the past month or so.

Bogle and Lee Tomlin take much credit for stepping into Zohore's shoes against Ipswich, while Joe Ralls and Bamba have provided midfield stability without Gunnarsson. Yet most Cardiff fans cannot shake the feeling that something is missing.

The club-versus-country row with Iceland over Gunnarsson goes on. Warnock will doubtlessly have been concerned to see his midfield lynchpin feature in an international friendly against Qatar on Tuesday night, especially if the 28-year-old isn't fit enough to play on Saturday, having had an ankle problem. But perhaps it means Gunnarsson is finally returning to fitness?

Iceland skipper Aron Gunnarsson

Likewise, Zohore isn't expected to be sidelined for much longer. His return from an ankle ligament injury cannot come soon enough given Cardiff's struggle for goals against Millwall. The Brentford game is likely to be another when the Bluebirds are challenged to set the agenda and break down a resilient side.

The club will soon provide updates on both players. It's no exaggeration to say a whole city is holding its breath.